Oman to hike nationalisation quotas in the industrial, tourism sectors for 2019

The nationalisation quotas for the industrial and travel and tourism sectors in Oman are set to be hiked in 2019, according to local media reports.

The required Omanisation quota in the logistics sector will remain the same as this year, the Times of Oman reported.

In the industrial sector, the Omanisation requirement has been hiked from 32.5 per cent in 2017 and 33 per cent in 2018 to 34 per cent in 2019 and 35 per cent in 2020.

For the travel and tourism sector, the percentage is being increased from 41.1 per cent in 2017 and 42.1 per cent in 2018 to 43.1 per cent for 2019 and 44.1 per cent for 2020.

In the logistics sector, the prescribed Omanisation percentage, which stood at 14 per cent in 2017 and 18 per cent in 2018, will stay at 18 per cent for 2019 and increase to 20 per cent in 2020.

The figures were revealed by Salim bin Nasir Al Hadhrami, director general of Planning and Development during a meeting organised by the ministry of Manpower, the report said.

Oman has been implementing a stringent nationalisation policy as part of it has banned the recruitment of expats as sales representatives, construction workers and in the cleaning, workshop, carpentry, aluminium blacksmith and brick factory sectors.

Also read: Oman sees unemployment among citizens fall after expat hiring bans

Earlier this month, it was also reported that while the country is continuing a crackdown on firms that fail to hire enough citizens, it is introducing an online traffic light system for recruitment.

Times of Oman reported that the system, being rolled out by the Ministry of Manpower, will inform employers immediately if they have met their Omanisation quota.

A green light will signal the ability to hire foreigners, with a red light indicating that recruitment will be stalled until sufficient Omani’s are hired to meet a set quota, which depends on the industry.

Yellow will indicate the company’s Omanisation policy is unclear to the ministry and requires further clarification.

Read more: Oman to ban firms that don’t meet Omanisation targets from hiring foreign staff